Badger Sunscreen Ingredients

Learn more information about the natural and organic ingredients we use in our mineral sunscreens.

See Badger SUNSCREENS Other Sunscreen INFORMATION

Click to go directly to:

All Sunscreens: Active Ingredient (Zinc Oxide)
Sunscreen Creams & Sticks: Inactive Ingredients
Sunscreen Lotions: Inactive Ingredients
Anti-Bug Sunscreen Ingredients
Sunscreen Ingredients FAQ

Active Sunscreen Ingredient (All Badger Sunscreens)
	Zinc Oxide is the only active ingredient Badger uses in all of its sunscreens. Zinc Oxide is a powdered mineral that sits on the outside of the skin protecting you from harmful UVA and UVB rays and it is the same active ingredient used for hundreds of years in diaper creams and calamine lotions.We feel it is the safest and most effective sunscreen active ingredient available. Learn more about our Zinc Oxide.
Inactive Sunscreen Ingredients (Sunscreen Creams & Sticks) These are our original sunscreen formulas and contain only organic plant oils, butters, beewax and Vitamin E (in addition to the mineral Zinc Oxide.) These illustrations were created for Badger by Kate Beetle, and © Copyright the W.S. Badger Company.
	Organic Sunflower Oil (from cold pressed sunflower seeds) – SPF 35 Sport and SPF 30 Unscented, Baby, and Kids Sunscreen Creams Sunflower oil is the featured ingredient in all of our newly reformulated 2013 sunscreen creams. Sunflower oil provides a robust and stable base with a smooth consistency for easy application. We chose sunflower oil for its light weight and super absorbent feel, along with its high content of naturally occurring vitamin E. Antioxidants are an important element in sunscreens because they help to neutralize free radical activity that may occur with extensive sun exposure. Sunflower Oil is also a source of essential fatty acids, which maintain soft and supple skin.

	Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (from cold processed olives) – SPF 30 Lavender Sunscreen Cream and SPF 34 Anti-Bug Sunscreen Cream Our Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Oil has a subtle fragrance and is rich with polyphenol antioxidants, vitamin E, living enzymes, and natural ferments, which contribute to this oil's superior therapeutic effect. Olive Oil is readily absorbed by the skin – and provides an nourishing base for an emollient and antioxidant rich sunscreen cream.

	Organic Beeswax – All Sunscreen Creams Our traditionally processed wax serves as the thickening agent in our sunscreen creams. Beeswax reduces moisture loss from the skin and has an almost immediate soothing effect on skin cracks and fissures. It has a sweet honey-like fragrance and a golden color. Our sunscreen lotions (below) do not contain beeswax and are vegan.

	Organic Jojoba (from Jojoba Seeds) – SPF 30 Lavender Sunscreen Cream and SPF 35 Sport Sunscreen Cream Our organic, cold pressed Jojoba Oil balances and moisturizes your skin while providing additional stability to our sunscreen creams. Jojoba, often described as Jojoba Oil, is actually a liquid plant wax or ester, made from a desert shrub. Jojoba is unique because it has similar properties to the oil found on human skin, which makes it remarkably nourishing.

	Organic Shea Butter (from Shea Nuts) SPF 30 Lavender Sunscreen Cream Our organic Shea Butter is traditionally processed from the African Karite Nut and cold pressed, thus retaining its rich antioxidants and high levels of vitamins A and E – well known for skin healing. It has excellent moisturizing and emollient properties and has a phenolic profile similar to that of green tea. Shea butter is added to our Lavender Sunscreen Cream as part of the power-packed, antioxidant-rich base.

	Organic Cocoa Butter (from Cacao Fruit) - SPF 30 Lavender Sunscreen Cream Our traditionally processed Cocoa Butter is Certified Organic and Fair Trade. Derived from the cocoa bean, Cocoa Butter is a deliciously rich and creamy skin soother and moisturizer that has been used as a dry skin healer for generations. It provides a protective barrier that helps retain and restore the moisture that your skin loses from cleansing and exposure to the elements. All Cocoa Butter purchased and included in our products is Fair Trade Certified by Fair Trade USA.

	Natural Vitamin E (from Sunflowers) – All Sunscreen Creams Vitamin E is a natural preservative and rich in antioxidants. The Vitamin E in our sunscreens is now derived exclusively from Sunflower, as opposed to mixed sources including corn and soy - this is great news for our friends with food allergies! Badger began shipping sunscreens containing the Sunflower Vitamin E in June 2012, and "Sunflower Vitamin E" is clearly marked in the ingredients panel.

	Organic Essential Oils Lavender, Chamomile, Calendula, Sweet Orange, Tangerine. These are certified organic and are added for their scents and antioxidant properties.

	Organic CO₂ Extracts Seabuckthorn & Vanilla. These are certified organic and are added for their scents and antioxidant properties.
Back to the Top
Inactive Sunscreen Ingredients (Sunscreen Lotions) We understand that it is uncommon for Badger products to contain ingredients that are not immediately recognizable; however, a certain amount of chemistry is required to create a lotion base that combines oil and water, and doesn't need to be refrigerated. You have our word that every ingredient meets our Badger standard for safety and purity, and almost all complex ingredients are USDA Certified Organic. Most are single components of ingredients we already use, processed to reach a desired effect (to thicken, disperse, and preserve the product). We will never use ingredients suspected to have negative health concerns.
	Organic Aloe Vera Juice and Extract – All Sunscreen Lotions Certified Organic Aloe Vera makes up the ultra-gentle and non-greasy base of our sunscreen lotions. Aloe, a succulent desert plant, has been used traditionally for centuries to soothe and rehydrate parched skin. When applied directly, Aloe has also been shown to aid the body's natural process of healing and repairing sun-damaged skin. We love the common name for this plant — Wand of God.

	Natural Safflower Oleosomes (from Safflowers) – SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotions Natural Safflower Oleosomes are mechanically processed from organic (not certified) Safflower seeds. This ingredient is used in our sunscreens as an emulsifier to help keep the water-based aloe vera and oils from separating.

	Organic Sucrose Cocoate (from Coconut) – All Sunscreen Lotions Organic Sucrose Cocoate is a coconut-based emulsifying ingredient manufactured by the physical processing of sucrose (sugar) and coconut oil. This ingredient is NOP-certified organic.

	Natural Microcrystalline Cellulose and Cellulose Gum (from Spruce and Pines) – SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotions Our aesthetic sunscreen lotions offer excellent protection with only minimal Zinc Oxide. We've achieved this through using natural dispersing agents (Microcrystalline Cellulose and Cellulose Gum), which give our sunscreens excellent spreadability, thus increasing the value of protection. This ingredient is naturally derived from spruce and pine trees and is processed mechanically and through natural acid hydrolysis.

	Natural Citric Acid (from Non-GMO Corn) – SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotions We use naturally derived Citric Acid as a pH adjuster and a preservative in our sunscreen lotions. Our Citric Acid is naturally derived from Non-GMO Corn through the process of fermentation.

	Natural Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate (from Radish Root) – SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotions Natural products require a delicate balance of preservatives. We use Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate as part of our preservation system. This ingredient is naturally derived from Radish Root through fermentation, not unlike the process of making Kimchee!

	Organic Glycerin (from Palm) – All Sunscreen Lotions Organic Glycerin is a natural smoothing agent that makes our sunscreen more easily spreadable. A clear sweet-smelling liquid derived from palm, glycerin is a byproduct of ethyl palmate production. After palm oil reacts with organic ethyl alcohol to give ethyl palmate, the byproducts are filtered to produce organic glycerin. This ingredient is NOP-certified organic, and the palm harvest is overseen by RSPO.

	Natural Gluconodeltalactone (from Non-GMO Corn) – SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotions We preserve our new 2013 SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotions with a unique ingredient naturally derived from non-GMO corn. Gluconodeltalactone is a naturally occurring organic glucose (sugar) created through a fermentation process, not unlike that used to create tofu!

	Natural Xanthan Gum – All Sunscreen Lotions Xanthan gum is a thickening agent produced by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. The gum is pasteurized, filtered, dried, and ground. This ingredient is an approved additive in NOP-certified organic products.

	Organic Lecithin (from Non-GMO Soybeans) – SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotions We use organic soy lecithin as a co-emulsifier in our sunscreen lotions to help the water based aloe and oil from separated. Our lecithin is naturally derived from Organic, Non-GMO Soybeans through mechanical processing.

	Organic Ethyl Palmate (from Palm) – SPF 16 Sunscreen Lotions Organic Ethyl Palmate is an emulsifying agent derived from sustainably-harvested Palm oil. It is produced by reacting organic Palm oil with organic ethyl alcohol. This ingredient is NOP-certified organic, and the raw material harvest is overseen by the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

	Organic Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Extract – SPF 16 Sunscreen Lotions Organic Citrus Medica Limonum extract is a natural citrus extract that is an effective preservative and anti-microbial agent. This ingredient is processed by mechanical extraction of citrus oils, which then go through a solvent-free hydro-glycerin process. Citrus natural extract is a fragrant combination of organic bitter orange, organic mandarin orange, organic sweet orange, and vitamin C, all mixed with organic glycerin, citric and lactic acids, and purified water. This ingredient is NOP-certified organic.

	Natural Chrondus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract – SPF 16 Sunscreen Lotions Carrageenan is a naturally-occurring family of sugars that are extracted from red seaweed and we use it as a thickening and stabilizing agent. The raw materials are sourced from independent seaweed harvesters worldwide, as well as supplier-operated cultivation sites in the Asia-Pacific region. The seaweed is gathered, washed, processed with heat to separate the carrageenan from the extraneous plant fibers. Since carrageenan is gathered from the ocean, rather than grown, it cannot be certified organic by the USDA; however this ingredient is an approved additive in NOP-certified organic products.

	Organic Hydrolyzed Soy Protein (from Soybean) – SPF 16 Sunscreen Lotions Hydrolyzed soy protein is an emulsifying agent produced by physically reacting organic soy protein with sucrose, aloe juice, and coconut fatty acids. This ingredient does not include soybean oil. This ingredient is NOP-certified organic.

	Organic Sucrose Polysoyate (from Soybean) – SPF 16 Sunscreen Lotions Organic Sucrose Polysoyate is a soy-based emulsifier from renewable & sustainable ingredients. This ingredient stabilizes our delicate water-in-oil formulation of all Sunscreen Lotions. This ingredient is NOP-certified organic.
Back to the Top
Ingredients in Badger's Anti-Bug Sunscreens This is a unique hybrid product that protects from the sun and bugs. The inactive sunscreen ingredients contain our Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Beeswax, Castor Oil and several essential oils such as Geranium, Cedar, and Citronella which, in addition to the Castor Oil, act as active anti-bug ingredients. Back to the Top Frequently Asked Questions: Is hydrolyzed soy protein the same as monosodium glutamate (MSG)? No. The hydrolyzed soy protein in Badger's Sunscreen Lotions is manufactured via a thermal and mechanical process, rather than through a harsh acidic reaction. We have tested the hydrolyzed soy protein for free glutamic acid, and the results demonstrate that it contains the same amount as an organic unprocessed soybean. Is the Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Extract phototoxic? No. One of the citrus oils in this ingredient is photosensitizing at levels greater than 1.4%. However, the total percentage of citrus oils in Badger's Sunscreen Lotions is roughly 0.4%, so we do not consider phototoxicity to be a risk. Additionally, the active ingredients in Badger sunscreens counter any photosensitive characteristics, further decreasing this risk. Are the sunscreens soy-free? Our sunscreen lotions contains soy as an emulsifier, however, our sunscreen creams do not contain any soy products. Are the sunscreens gluten-free? None of our sunscreen ingredients contain gluten; however, since the facility that fills the sunscreen is not a certified gluten-free facility, we cannot make the claim that the lotions are gluten-free. Are any of these sunscreens Vegan? Yes! Our new sunscreen lotions do not contain beeswax or any other animal products so they are indeed vegan sunscreen. This is good news for our Vegan friends. Our sunscreen creams and sticks do contain beeswax however so they cannot be considered vegan sunscreens. Back to the Top